People who work long hours may face an increased risk of suffering a stroke, the results of a new study indicate.

French researchers analysed data from a major study that began in France in 2012, involving over 143,000 people aged between 18 and 69.

For the purpose of this study, long hours were defined as working more than 10 hours per day for at least 50 days per year. Almost one in three of the participants worked such hours.

The researchers found that those who had worked long hours had a 29% increased risk of suffering a stroke. Furthermore, those working long hours for 10 years or more had a 45% increased risk.

"The association between 10 years of long work hours and stroke seemed stronger for people under the age of 50. This was unexpected. Further research is needed to explore this finding," commented the study' lead author, Dr Alexis Descatha, of the French National Institute of Health and Medical Research.

He pointed out that many healthcare providers 'work much more than the definition of long working hours', and therefore they may be at an increased risk of stroke.

"As a clinician, I will advise my patients to work more efficiently and plan to follow my own advice,' he said.

Details of these findings are published in the journal, Stroke.